Calista Corporation Continues To Grow Alaska Native Leaders

Published: December 3, 2011

New Hires in Finance Department

(Anchorage, Alaska) – Calista Corporation has just selected two Alaska Natives to fill the roles of controller and the newly created position of tax director. Respectively, Teresa Peterson and Helen Bush will both report directly to Sharon Weddleton, the chief financial officer.

Bush brings to Calista a solid financial background. A Calista Corporation Shareholder originally from Bethel, she earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Arizona State University. Since returning to Alaska, Bush has worked for the City of Bethel, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and served as vice president of finance for the Association of Village Council Presidents. Additionally, Bush started her own company in Anchorage, Bush Professional Services, LLC, and quickly grew a strong client base. As the tax director at Calista, she will be responsible for reducing the corporation’s tax burden in all areas.

Peterson, a Koniag descendant originally from Kodiak earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Simpson College in Redding, CA. After graduation she held accounting positions for certified public accounting firms in Seattle, WA and Louisville, KY. When she returned to Alaska, she worked for the Anchorage Municipality and most recently with GCI. Her duties as controller at Calista will include managing the daily operations of the accounting department, performance of direct reports and oversight of corporate financial audits.

“As an Alaska Native Corporation formed under ANCSA, we have unique responsibilities,” said Calista Corporation President Andrew Guy. “Service to Shareholders not only includes dividends, but also employment opportunities, scholarships, internships and cultural preservation.”

Including these two new employees, Calista Corporation headquarters has 56 employees. More than 53 percent of them are Calista Shareholders and Alaska Natives.

The second largest of the original 13 Alaska Native corporations, Calista Corporation was established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 and represents over 12,000 Shareholders. The Calista region encompasses over 6.5 million acres and includes 56 villages, which are incorporated into 46 individual village corporations. Since 1994, Calista has provided more than $2.4 million in scholarships and since 2008 more than $12.2 million in dividends and distributions to its Shareholders and Descendants.